Microsoft locks up patent on augmented reality glasses

Microsoft is wading further into the mobile computing game. On Thursday the US Patent and Trade Office issued Redmond a patent for “a head mounted display with supplemental information.”

In other words: augmented reality glasses — smartphone screens and functionality built into eye-wear.

Filed in May of 2011, the patent focuses on the application of the gadget at “live events” and how their model would allow users to keep their eyes on the action — a baseball game, for instance — while the glasses displayed helpful statistics and background on the players.

The patent is not definitive in how the glasses will be controlled — but does suggest a wrist mounted computer, voice or hand gestures.

Microsoft has played catchup recently with its Surface tablet and host of new Windows 8 phones, but the augmented reality market is still wide open. Google showed off its augmented reality glasses, Google Glass, earlier this year with an elaborate sky-diving and dirt biking demo in San Francisco, but customers won’t be able to get their hands on a set until 2014.

Oakley has also said it’s been developing similar technology and Explore Engage and Vuzix are small companies in the market.

Patents don’t necessarily mean a product. And increasingly — and sadly — the protection of a patent has translated to patent litigation, rather than innovation.

But its clear that Microsoft is betting, in part, on a world of people walking around checking email and looking up directions from computers mounted on their faces.